Peripheral-Connected Application Restriction Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern portable electronic devices offer extensive functionality, making it challenging to limit user access to specific applications, particularly in environments where distraction is undesirable, such as while driving.
Innovation Solution
The system allows for limited usage of electronic devices when connected to predefined peripheral devices, using a control circuit to preclude certain applications from being used, transitioning between locked and unlocked states based on user input and device connectivity, ensuring only essential apps are accessible during specific contexts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic device provides extensive functionality with multiple applications, then the device versatility and user capability are improved, but the difficulty of controlling and limiting access to specific applications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments applications into different categories (e.g., essential vs. non-essential, or work-related vs. personal) and applies different access controls to each category. The control circuit selectively enables or disables specific applications based on the detected environment, rather than treating all applications uniformly. This segmentation allows versatile functionality while simplifying control through category-based management.
2Ease of operation
If the device allows full access to all applications in unlocked state, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety and distraction risk in certain environments worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control where the availability of applications changes based on the detected environment. The control circuit continuously monitors for the presence of peripheral devices (e.g., vehicular docking stations) and dynamically adjusts which applications are accessible. When a vehicle docking station is detected, non-essential applications are automatically restricted, reducing distraction risk while maintaining ease of operation for essential functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary between the user and the applications. Rather than allowing direct access to all applications, the control circuit intermediates by selectively enabling or disabling applications based on environmental context. This intermediary layer safety-mediates access without requiring complex user decisions about which applications to use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device transitions between locked and unlocked states based on peripheral device connection, then the adaptability to different usage contexts is improved, but the device complexity and number of states increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining usage contexts and associated application restrictions before the actual usage scenario occurs. The system is pre-configured with profiles for different peripheral devices (e.g., vehicular docking stations, home computers) and their corresponding allowed application sets. When a peripheral device is connected, the system automatically applies the pre-determined restrictions without requiring real-time decision-making or complex state transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device (100) includes a control circuit (208) and one or more modules (210) operable with the control circuit. An application usage module (211) is operable with the control circuit to define one or more applications (104,105,106,107), operable with the control circuit and otherwise available for use by a user (101) when the electronic device is in an unlocked state, that are precluded from use by an authorized person when the electronic device is operably connected to a predefined peripheral accessory (300) when unlocked.